A New Haven Tradition since 1892. Visit us at www.beki.orgDecember 2000 Vol. 6 Issue 12 ktrah r,f-kt ,hc e"e Kislev 5761

BEKI BulletinHanuka & Shabbat Candles

Hanuka candles are lit beginning on Thursdaynight 21 December. On Friday night 22 December,the Hanuka candles should be lit at about 4:00, be-fore the Shabbat candles are lit.

The Shabbat candle lighting times listed in everyissue of the BEKI Bulletin on the calendar page,and listed at our website at www.beki.org/schedule.html, represent the exact lightingtime within one minute for the location ofthe synagogue. Anyone within a severalmile radius of BEKI can use the time tablewith confidence. The candle lightingtimes listed are about 18 minutes beforethe “sunset” as it is defined in Jewish law.It is permitted to light candles before thelisted lighting time, but according to Jewishlaw candles should not be lit after sunset. The18 minutes serve as a “margin of error” and are away for us to show our enthusiasm for Shabbat bywelcoming it in a timely, but not hurried, fashion.

One purpose of Shabbat candles is to enable usto see during the darkness of night. This was es-pecially important in times and places where arti-ficial lighting was uncommon and people gener-ally were in the dark once night fell. It is permit-ted to use the Shabbat candles for general light-

ing, but one should avoid using them forreading or for other uses where one

might normally make some ad-justment in their brightness or lo-

cation.The purpose of Hanuka

candles is to “publicize themiracle” of Hanuka. One

should not use the Hanukacandles for any other purpose.

For this reason, a “shamash” or“utility” candle is added, so that if

we need to see in the room with thehanukiya (hanuka menora), we can use the light

of the shamash.

Planning a bar- or bat-mitzva at BEKI?Parents planning a bar- or bat-mitzva observance at BEKI

during the next three years are urged to call the BEKI office(389-2108 x14 or beki@snet.net) to reserve a date and to requesta copy of the “Guide to Benei Mitzva Observance atCongregation Beth El-Keser Israel, second edition.” The “Guide”is also available at www.beki.org/bmitzva.pdf.

Administrative Announcements

BEKI Bulletin 2December 2000

BEKI-BulletinThe newsletter is published monthly by CongregationBeth El-Keser Israel for the benefit of its members.Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel is affiliated with

the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

To contribute articles or for inquiries regardingmembership, donations, or special activities, call the

Synagogue office (203) 389-2108, or write to 85Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724

or email: jjtilsen@beki.orgor see our web page created by Phill Simon:

www.beki.orgFor information about advertising, call the synagogueoffice. Deadline for submission of ads or articles is the

1st of the month preceding publication.Annual subscription is $36.00.

BEKI-Bulletin© 2000 Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel.

A Message from Rabbi Tilsen & Dear Rabbi© 2000 Jon-Jay Tilsen. All rights reserved.

Editor Rabbi Jon-Jay TilsenAssociate Editor Donna LevineAssociate Editor Donna KemperCirculation Manager Saul BellProduction Editor David GoldenAdvertisement Editor Sheila GardnerPhotographer Charles Ludwig

787-0496

Personalized BookkeepingServices Offered:

Check Writing • PayrollStatement Reconciliation • P/R Tax Forms

End of Year Reports

Accurate and Professional Service

Muriel Chorney 213 Maple St.

Calling BEKITo call BEKI, dial (203) 389-2108.When the automated attendant answers, dial

any of the numbers below for the desiredextension. You don’t have to wait to hear the wholerecorded greeting. If you don’t have a “touch-tone”phone (i.e. a phone that dials by sending tones),wait to the end of the greeting and you will thenbe able to leave a message for the Administrator.A shortcut: To skip to the end of a greeting, pressasterisk (*).

ExtensionsCemetery Association ........................... 57Kadima & USY Youth Groups ............. 30KISS Program ......................................... 33Kitchen .................................................... 19Kulanu KeEhad Havura ....................... 33Lower Lobby .......................................... 17Office Manager Mary Ellen Mack ....... 14Rabbi Tilsen ............................................ 10Rosenkrantz Library .............................. 11Service Times Recording ...................... 88Religious School Principal Terri Stern 13USY & Kadima Youth Groups ............. 30

How to Contact the BEKI BulletinResponses to "A Message from Rabbi Tilsen,"

questions for "Dear Rabbi" and Letters to the Editorcan be sent to: Editor, BEKI-Bulletin, 85 HarrisonStreet, New Haven, CT 06515 or by email tojjtilsen@beki.org.

Rabbi Tilsen's mail and e-mail are opened directlyand exclusively by the Rabbi himself and are as secureand confidential as mail and e-mail can be.

No ParkingMembers and visitors are advised that parking

is prohibited at all times on the East side ofHarrison Street as indicated by the “No Parking”signs. Parking is usually available across HarrisonStreet, and ample parking is available in the BEKIlot at the rear of the building. When driving in theBEKI parking lot, please observe the 5 miles-per-hour speed limit, which is enforced by randomspeed bumps.

Daily ServicesDaily services at BEKI provide an opportunity

to learn, pray, reflect, transition and center one’sown spiritual life. Services provide a context forfulfilling the mitzva (religious obligation) of dailyworship. Services are held every weekday morningand evening. See the calendar for a schedule.During the winter, there will be a special need formore participants on Tuesday mornings (7:00a),Thursday mornings (8:15a) and Sunday nights(5:45p).

BEKI Bulletin 3December 2000

A Message From Rabbi Tilsen

Rabbi Tilsen

A Hanuka MessageNot by Might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit, says

Adonai Seva’ot.These words of the prophet Zekharya, read in

the haftara of Shabbat Hanuka, express the essenceof the message of Hanuka.

The victory we celebrate is the survival of Jew-ish culture in the face of foreign cultural hegemony.Remarkably, when the Talmud tells us the mean-ing of Hanuka, it does not even mention, let aloneglorify, the military struggle of the Maccabees.Rather, our sages singled out the miracle of therededication of the Temple as the symbol of all thatis good in Hanuka. It is the purification of our so-ciety from foreign cultural and religious elementsand the regaining of some measure of nationalautonomy that we are celebrating.

Some time later, when Israel was again underforeign rule, this time by the Romans, Jews againorganized to defend the Temple and all that itstands for. But this time, during the decades be-fore the destruction of the Second Temple, our an-cestors organized a creative nonviolence campaignto defend Jewish society. The historians Josephusand Philo both record how our ancestors organizedstrikes, boycotts, peaceful demonstrations, directnonviolent confrontations with soldiers, diplo-matic maneuvers, and sit-ins. Many of the elementsof their struggle closely resemble those ofGandhian Satyagraha. The Jewish nonviolent cam-paign achieved its immediate goals and helped topreserve Jewish culture and society during a phaseof protracted conflict without the cost of armedstruggle. In doing so, Israel won the respect ofmany Romans, bolstering our internal strength.

Today, we too must act to defendand revitalize our culture. Like theMaccabees, we must live accordingto our own values and traditionswithout feeling self-conscious orawkward. By playing Jewish musicin our homes, learning Hebrew andJewish dance, studying Torah andsupporting Israel, by performing mitzvot, we domore than any army could to promote the well-being of our people and the success of our mis-sion in the world.

We are fortunate that American values validatecultural diversity — to live according to our ownways is now part of the American ideal. By rightas Americans we can declare our Jewishness. Byliving fully as Jews, we get “extra credit” for liv-ing the American Way.

When we place our Hanuka lights in our win-dow for all to see, we make a positive statementabout our values and identity. “Whoever performsa mitzva,” say our sages, “lights a candle of Godand revives their spirit.”

Happy Hanuka

RAVIT AVNI-SINGER, MSW LCSW214 Amity Road

Woodbridge, CT 06525(203) 389-9174

Announces the establishment of her practice inchild, adolescent, and adult psychotherapy.

1460 Whalley Avenue New Haven, CT 06515

BAKERY FAX DELI 387-2214 387-4129 397-0839

Specializing in:Bar/Bas Mitzvah, Weddings, Office and Home Parties

• Platters for all occasions • Prepared foods

BEKI Bulletin 4December 2000

Dear Rabbi

110 Hamilton StreetNew Haven, CT 06511

(203) 624-0194Fax (203) 624-3609

Dear Rabbi,In services, why do we sometimes repeat the

Amida in full, sometimes in part, and sometimesnot at all?

Signed,Amida Maven

Dear Maven,Normally the Amida is repeated during

morning, musaf and afternoon services, butnever at evening services. It is repeatedonly in the presence of a minyan (quo-rum).

There are three ways to repeat theAmida. In a full repetition, each indi-vidual recites the entire Amida, and thenthe shaliah tsibur (prayer leader) recites the entireAmida aloud, with everyone joining in for theQedusha.

Assuming there is a minyan, if we are not recit-

ing the full repetition, then there are two ways ofdoing a “partial repetition.” For morning services,we all begin the Amida together aloud, recite theQedusha together, and then each person continuesindividually to the end. For musaf and afternoonservices, the shaliah tsibur begins the Amida, all jointogether for the Qedusha, and then the reader con-tinues quietly to the end while the individual wor-shipers recite the entire Amida from the beginning.

Whether we do a full repetition or a partial rep-etition depends on available time and the prefer-ence and capability of the shaliah tsibur. Gener-ally, we do a partial repetition on Monday andThursday mornings, since the service otherwisewill be somewhat long given that we have To-

rah readings those days. Most other weekdayswe will do a full repetition if the shaliah tsibur sodesires.

One of the reasons given for repeating the prayeris that many people are not able to correctly recite

BEKI Bulletin 5December 2000

Dear Rabbithe Amida on their own. This was especially truebefore individual copies of prayer books becamecommon. If a worshiper answers “Amen” after theberakhot (the blessings), they get “credit” as if theyhad said the prayers themselves.

If all that I have said is not clear, I can repeat it.I could do a full repetition or a partial repetition....

Dear Rabbi,I saw the Pope on television and noticed that he

wears a yarmulke. No offense meant, but is thePope Jewish?

Signed, Bareheaded in Bea-ver Hill.

Dear Bareheaded,No, the Pope is not Jew-

ish. The correct word for thePope’s skullcap is a zucchetto, which is an Italianword that basically means “beanie.” Zucchettos arecolor-coded skullcaps worn by Catholic clergy:priests wear black, bishops wear purple, cardinals

wear red, and the Pope wears white.The Jewish practice of covering the head dates

back to ancient times when the kohanim in theTemple wore special headdresses.

The morning blessing “oter Yisrael betifara,” whocrowns Israel with beauty, was originally said be-fore putting on the turban. The Talmud states thata man should not take four steps without his headbeing covered. We can keep our heads covered bywearing any sort of hat or turban. One choice isthe kippa, which in Yiddish is called Yarmulke, inEnglish, skullcap, or in Italian Zucchetto. The kippahas no religious significance in and of itself — it ismerely one type of hat. It is nothing more than abeanie.

Today, we follow a moderate path and make apoint to keep our heads covered during prayer,study, meals and other religious acts, such as play-ing baseball.

Although he wears a kippa, the Pope is not Jew-ish. And although we wear Zucchettos, we are notthe Pope. Once again we see that you don’t haveto be Jewish to be Jewish, but it helps.

Guaranteed Lowest Prices on all Brands of Tiresand Custom Wheels

Fast, Courteous ServiceHuge Inventory

Full-Service Auto RepairASE Certified mechanics Always on Duty

Free Estimates

40 Orange AvenueWest Haven, CT933-2886

HoursM, T, W, F 8:00-5.30Thurs. 8:00-7:00Sat. 8:00-3:00

Dear Rabbi

BEKI Bulletin 6December 2000

News

LifeCycleWith Sorrow we note the passing of

Ellen Slopak Schwartz, wife of David SchwartzDevora Gekhman, mother of Leonid & Svetlana

GekhmanMay the Almighty comfort all who mourn

Additional Death Notices can be found atwww.beki.org/deaths.html. Information on Yahrzeitobservances can be found at www.beki.org/yz5761.pdf.

Mazal Tov• To Alan & Joan Gelbert on the birth of their

grandson Max Jacob (Mordekhai) Gelbert• To Matthew & April Lieberman on their father

Joseph Lieberman’s reelection to the US Senateand winning the most votes for the office ofVice President of the United States

United Synagogue YouthBEKI-BJ USY is off to a great start! Our member-

ship is even larger than we’d hoped for and ourcalendar is chock-full of events. Officers for thechapter are:• Marlo Palumbo, President• Danya Cheskis-Gold, Religious Education V.P.• Rachel Levarek, Social Action Tikkun Olam V.P.• Verred Hamenachem, Israel Affairs V.P.• Aliza Kuperstock, Membership and Kadima

V.P.• Karen Nahary, Regional Board• Mika Larrison, Communications V.P.• Michael Seltzer will be creating a website for

USY!November events included making and selling

pies for tsedaqa (charity), a regional dance with OrShalom, and a Kinnus (Shabbat sleepover) at a campin Connecticut. On 9 December our chapter willhave a Hanuka celebration featuring a LimousineScavenger Hunt. In January we’re having aShabbaton sleepover at B’nai Jacob.

If you or your teenager are interested in USYplease e-mail us at BEKIBJUSY@mac.com, or callmembership V.P. Aliza at 387-0304.

LettersTo the entire BEKI community:A deeply felt thank you for the tremendous

outpouring of love, kindness and support after thedeath of Milton Bass, Paul’s father. For building oursukka; for sending food; for coming to a minyan;for sending cards; for offering warm hugs and kindwords; for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers— for your countless acts of kindness, large andsmall, we are incredibly grateful. It is truly aprivilege, an inspiration and a comfort to be partof this wonderful community.

Paul, Carole, Annie & Sarah Bass

An InvitationThe congregation is invited to

qiddush following Shabbatmorning services on 2 Decembermarking Charlie Ludwig’smilestone birthday, sponsored byhis wife Violet.

Children’s Books Added to CollectionThere are now 12 copies of “Tot Shabbat Siddur”

and “Early Childhood Shabbat Service” availableto those parents who have generously volunteeredtheir time to prepare for and lead the weeklyChildren’s Shabbat Havura and K-2 Kehilaprograms. These siddurim are available in theResource Center of the Claire Goodwin YouthRoom, on a non-lending basis. The “Tot ShabbatSiddur” was acquired thanks to the efforts of parentAmy Pincus, and the “Early Childhood ShabbatService” was acquired thanks to the efforts of parentAnne Johnston. Copies of each were donated byMiriam Benson.

MEB

Rosenkrantz Family Library NewsIn honor of Jewish Book Month, the Rosenkrantz

Library Committee is asking BEKI members todonate a book to the library. The book should be ofJewish interest, either new or no more than twoyears old. We will be happy to place a bookplate inthe front of the book, in honor of or in memory of aloved one. Please give us the name to be honoredand by whom.

Mimi Glenn

Charlie Ludwig

BEKI Bulletin 7December 2000

News

What are some of the things you especially valueabout BEKI? Maybe it is the participatory and egali-tarian Conservative services. Possibly, it is thesynagogue’s rare breadth of spirit, its strong moralcommitment, and the kindness and thoughtfulnessof its rabbi. Or perhaps it’s a place where you knowyou can always find a warm welcome and a spiri-tual sanctuary. It may be special to you because itschildren’s school provides an exceptional Jewisheducation while treating boys and girls equally. Oryou may value BEKI because you have foundfriends, soul mates, and qiddush shmoozers there whoshare your values.

While BEKI has retained its wonder and excite-ment, for many years it had slowly fallen behindon the funds necessary to meet its religious andadministrative needs and to maintain the buildingin a reasonable state. At the same time, BEKI hasalways upheld a strong commitment to maintain adues structure that allowed people to belong to thesynagogue regardless of their financial situationand, at the same time, to provide a warm and richhome for Conservative Judaism.

If this commitment to an inclusive dues struc-ture is to succeed, it is essential that those who canafford more than their dues contribute generouslyto BEKI. Until last year, BEKI members had not beenasked to contribute the amount of money to theshul that would allow BEKI to live by this inclu-sive philosophy and support its basic needs. Lastyear, a serious question was raised: would the mem-bers of the congregation accept the challenge toincrease their contributions and make BEKI moresecure and vital?

As you know, BEKI members responded withan enthusiastic yes! With the generous support ofmembers like you, more money was raised last yearthan ever before, exceeding the RenaissanceCampaign’s goals. We thank you and other mem-

bers of the congregation for your strong expressionof confidence, which allowed the shul to begin tostand more firmly on its financial feet.

But last year was just the first step in a signifi-cant transition for BEKI. With confidence in themembership borne of last year’s experience, ourgoals for this year have been raised somewhat. Ourcurrent goal is to fully address the synagogues’basic needs, which include reasonable support forthe rabbi’s and staff salaries, for the New HebrewSchool and youth programs, for religious activities,for a growing selection of Jewish cultural activi-ties, and to restore and care for the physical plantin which all this takes place.

Our Executive Committee and Board of Direc-tors have carefully examined the synagogue’s situ-ation and concluded that BEKI needs to raise$143,000 above dues and other sources of incomein order to continue its renaissance.

The fund raising effort, begun with a spirit ofoptimism and excitement, has met with a remark-able outpouring of financial support. Already al-most $100,000 has been pledged.

For all the reasons you value BEKI, now is thetime for you to play an important role in its con-tinuing revitalization by making your contributionto the Renaissance Campaign. We hope that yourcontribution will reflect your commitment toBEKI’s values and your desire to make a difference.BEKI needs and appreciates your help.

Members of the Renaissance Committee may becalling you over the next month or so to explorewith you how you might be able to help BEKIthrough the Renaissance Campaign. We know youwill give as generously as you can.

Robert ForbesStephen PincusMarc D. Schwartz, MD

Renaissance Campaign UpdateRenaissance Campaign UpdateRenaissance Campaign UpdateRenaissance Campaign UpdateRenaissance Campaign Update

BEKI Events

2000 December - Kislev - Tevet 5761Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

4 Kislev 1 5 Kislev 2

Shaharit=Morning BEKI phone numbers: Office Hours: BEKI email: 7:00a Shaharit 9:15a Shaharit

Minha =Afternoon (203) 389-2108 Mon 9a-12 & 1p-3p Office: BEKI@snet.net 6:00p Maariv 10:45a Children's Programs

Maariv=Evening Fax (203) 389-5899 Tue by appt. only Rabbi:jjtilsen@beki.org 6:30p 20s/30s Havura 10:45a SSLM

SSLM=Shabbat Shalom Mary Ellen-Office x14 Wed 10a-12 & 1p-6p website: www.beki.org Group Shabbat Dinner Kiddush Sponsor: Violet Ludwig

Learners' Minyan Religious School x13 Thu 9a-12 & 1p-3p 4:06p Candles 4:10p Minha

TNS=The New [Religious] Rabbi x10 Fri 9a-2p 8:00p Late Service

School Kulanu x33 (last of the season)KISS=Kids in Shul when there's no School

6 Kislev 3 7 Kislev 4 8 Kislev 5 9 Kislev 6 10 Kislev 7 11 Kislev 8 12 Kislev 9

9:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 8:15a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 9:15a Shaharit

9:30a Religious School 7:45a Rashi Study Grp 5:45p Maariv 8:00a-3:00p KISS 5:45p Maariv 6:00p Maariv 10:45a Children's Programs

5:45p Maariv 5:45p Maariv 4:15p Religious School 5:45p Benei Mitzva Program 4:05p Candles 10:45a Cosmic Conversations

6:00p Rambam Class 5:30p-7:00p Family Education 5:45p Maariv and Family Dinner 4:10p Minha

7:00p-9:00p Midrasha 5:45p Maariv

6:00p Chess Club8:00p A.A.

13 Kislev 10 14 Kislev 11 15 Kislev 12 16 Kislev 13 17 Kislev 14 18 Kislev 15 19 Kislev 16

9:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 8:15a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 9:15a Shaharit

9:30a Religious School 7:45a Rashi Study Grp 5:45p Maariv 4:15p Religious School 5:45p Benei Mitzva Program 6:00p Maariv Darshan: Jay Sokolow

11:30a TNS Parents Group 5:45p Maariv 5:45p Maariv 5:45p Maariv 4:06p Candles 10:45a Children's Programs

5:45p Maariv 5:30p-7:00p Family Education 6:00p Chess Club 10:45a SSLM

6:00p Rambam Class 7:00p-9:00p Midrasha 7:30p Book Group 4:10p Minha 7:45p Executive Board 8:00p A.A.

20 Kislev 17 21 Kislev 18 22 Kislev 19 23 Kislev 20 24 Kislev 21 25 Kislev 22 26 Kislev 23

9:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 8:15a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 9:15a Shaharit

9:30a Religious School 5:45p Maariv 5:45p Maariv 4:15p Religious School 5:45p Maariv 6:00p Maariv 10:45a Cosmic Conversations

and Hanukah Program 5:30p-7:00p Family Education 5:45p Maariv 6:00p Chess Club 4:08p Candles 10:45a Children's Programs

9:30a Cong. Breakfast 7:00p-9:00p Midrasha 8:00p A.A. (Light Hanuka 4:10p Minha

5:45p Maariv 7:45p General Board candles first)6:00p Rambam Class Erev Hanukah Hanukah Hanukah

27 Kislev 24 28 Kislev 25 29 Kislev 26 1 Tevet 27 2 Tevet 28 3 Tevet 29 4 Tevet 30

9:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit Rosh Hodesh 8:15a Shaharit 7:00a Shaharit 9:15a Shaharit

No Religious School 7:45a Rashi Study Grp 5:45p Maariv 7:00a Shaharit 5:45p Maariv 6:00p Maariv Darshan: Alan Lovins

5:45p Maariv 5:45p Maariv No Religious School 8:00p A.A. 4:13p Candles 10:45a Children's Programs

5:45p Maariv 10:45a SSLM

4:15p Minha Hanukah Hanukah Hanukah Hanukah Hanukah Hanukah

5 Tevet 31

9:00a Shaharit

No Religious School5:45p Maariv

BEKI Bulletin 9December 2000

Dates and Times to Remember

Stress is inevitable, misery is optional

Robert Goodwin MemorialProgram

A Sunday morning brunch on 17 December at9:30a (following the 9:00a morning service) is pre-sented in Memory of Robert Goodwin. All arewelcome to the brunch; reservations are not re-quired.

Rabbi Lovins

DarshanimJay Sokolow will be the Darshan (Torah

Discussion Leader) on Shabbat morning 16December 2000, parashatVaYishlah. During November, Jayparticipated in a UJC SolidarityMission to Israel, which may serveas part of the inspiration for hispresentation.

Alan Lovins will be the Darshan(Torah Discussion Leader) onShabbat morning 30 December2000, parashat Miqetz.

Chess Club meetingThe BEKI Chess Club for kids and adults will

meet on Thursday evenings from 6:00p to 8:00pon 7, 14 and 21 December. There is no charge.Players at all levels are welcome, and players mayinvite friends. For more information contact RabbiTilsen at 389-2108 x10 jjtilsen@beki.org).

Adult Ed ClassesThe class on Rambam’s “Laws of Kings,” which

began in November, continues to meet on Sundaynights from 6:00p to 7:20p on 3, 10 and 17 Decem-ber. Midrasha classes will continue on Mondaynights from 7:00p to 9:00p.

Mishna AvotMishna Avot, also known as Pirqe Avot or Ethics

of the Fathers is studied at BEKI each Shabbat af-ternoon between the minha and maariv servicesduring the winter months. Everyone is welcome.

20s-30s Havura at BEKIJewish singles and couples in their 20s and 30s

are invited to contact BEKI member Valerie Sandler(777-4784 or valerie.sandler@yale.edu) or MaryEllen Mack (389-2108 x14 or beki@snet.net) forinformation on special events of interest. The 20s-30s Havura is primarily for adults without children.People with children are encouraged to contactAnne Johnston (389-2108 x33 or anne@beki.org) orMary Ellen Mack (389-2108 x14 or beki@snet.net)for information on the Children’s Shabbat Havuraand other activities of special interest.

Shabbat Shalom Learners’Minyan

The “Shabbat Shalom Learners’ Minyan,” whichmeets every other Saturday morning at 10:45a inBEKI’s Rosenkrantz Library, is an ideal setting forveteran and novice shul-goers alike to becomemore comfortable and expert in the Shaharit(morning) and Torah services in a supportivesetting. Lead by Steven Fraade, Rabbi Alan Lovinsand others, the Shabbat Shalom Learners’ Minyanhas helped many feel a deeper sense of awe bornof greater understanding while increasing the levelof comfort through nurturing step-by-step practicein a non-threatening multi-generational setting.

Rashi Study GroupEach Monday morning from 7:45a to 8:30a a

small group of adults meets in the RosenkrantzFamily Library to read Rashi’s commentary to theTorah. It is possible to join the study for a singlemeeting or to begin at any time. Knowledge ofHebrew is not necessary. For more information,don’t call; just come once and find out what it isabout.

BEKI Bulletin 11December 2000

Thank You For Your Generous Contributions

Where There’s A Will...Tradition recommends that one bequeath at least

10% of their estate to Tzedaqa (charity) such as toCongregation Beth El-Keser Israel. Financial ad-visers and estate lawyers have shown how suchgifts can be increased through careful planning thattakes tax policies into account. Willing a propor-tion of one’s estate to the Congregation is a con-crete way to demonstrate commitment to Judaismand model a moral example for others.

For many, particu-larly senior citizens, it ispossible to earn a guar-anteed 8% or more an-nual return for life on asecured investment andhelp the Synagogue atthe same time. With aslittle as $10,000 you canmake a charitable re-mainder gift that allows

you and your spouse or other loved one to receivea guaranteed annual interest payment for the restof your life, all or much of which is tax-free.

If you would like more information on how tomake a bequest or a charitable remainder gift forthe benefit of BEKI, contact your own attorney orfinancial consultant, or call estate planning attor-ney Donna Levine at 787-1633 (sdsij@aol.com) fora confidential consultation. Attorney Levine willdonate her time to help you establish a will or trustfor the benefit of the Congregation. You may alsocontact Rabbi Tilsen at 389-2108 x10(jjtilsen@beki.org) for more information on be-quests and endowment opportunities, or callDeborah Kaplan Polivy at The Jewish Foundationat 387-2424 ext. 304 (dpolivy@jewishnewhaven.org)for a confidential discussion.

BEKI can also accept stocks and securities as giftsduring a donor’s lifetime or as part of an estate.Please speak with your financial advisor or bro-ker about the potential tax advantages of givingstock and securities. To arrange a transfer, call MaryEllen Mack at 389-2108 x14 (beki@snet.net).

Torah Fund ContributionsTorah Fund Contributions for November and

December will appear in the January Bulletin. Tosend Torah cards call Barbara Cushen at 407-0314.

Important Tax InformationTaxpayers are reminded that

synagogue dues, pledges andcontributions are tax-deductible to the fullextent of the law. For many people it isadvantageous to pay dues, pledges andcontributions before the end of the taxyear (for most people 31 December). It isalso helpful to BEKI to receive yourpayment at an early date. Please consultyour tax advisor for more information.

Buying Books?Buying books, music, software, or electronics on

the internet? BEKI earns a small referral fee forpurchases made from Amazon.com when the pur-chaser accesses Amazon from the Amazon icon atthe bottom of www.beki.org/links.html. FromNovember 1999 to October 2000, BEKI earned$208.29 in referral fees on sales of $4,169. There isno added charge to the purchaser.